The Chicago Bears are in the middle of another important offseason, where they’re looking to shore up the roster and remain contenders in Ben Johnson’s second season as head coach as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
The Bears didn’t make any big splashes in free agency, where their biggest move was signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to fill one of two starting safety vacancies left by the departing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also added linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. But the Bears also suffered some big losses, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Byard and Brisker, as well as center Drew Dalman, who shockingly retired.
Chicago has seven draft picks that includes four selections in the top 89, including a pair of second rounders, where they can address some of their biggest needs, including defensive line, safety and offensive tackle.
Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 NFL Draft. We’re wrapping things up with special teams, where there’s really just one question mark at long snapper.
Who’s on the roster?
Cairo Santos and Tory Taylor have built stability for the Chicago Bears special teams unit, and neither of them feel like they’re in danger of losing their job. Santos converted 25 of his 30 field goal attempts, at 83% and went perfect on extra points throughout the 2025 season. In total, Santos scored 114 points, while making 4-of-6 field goals from 50% yards, giving the Bears much more stability and reliability in the kicking game. Taylor had 60 punts on the year for 2,870 yards for an average of 47.8 with a long of 69 yards. He also put 21 punts inside the 20-yard line and recorded seven touchbacks. Due to the Bears offensive success last year, he had 22 fewer punts in comparison to the 2024 season. Meanwhile, former undrafted free agent Luke Elkin is currently the only long snapper on the roster.
Who departed this offseason?
Veteran long snapper Scott Daly is currently a free agent so the only long snapper on the roster is Luke Elkin, who was a collegiate teammate of Tory Taylor’s at Iowa. We’ll see if Chicago elects to bring back Daly on a one-year deal or give Elkin a chance. The Bears also lost multiple contributors on the special teams return and defensive side. Notable losses from the special teams unit were safety Jonathan Owens, receiver/returner Devin Duvernay, and running back Travis Homer.
Positional need: Low
Special teams is one of the few spots on the roster that does not need addressing this offseason, and the veterans that are in place should carry the unit throughout the season. Santos has previously been discussed as a player that the team could move on from but he righted the ship with his performance last year. There should be no interest in the Bears to add any part of the special teams unit, especially after they spent a fourth-round pick on Taylor just two seasons ago. The only question comes at long snapper, where it’s likely to be Luke Elkin or Scott Daly, if Chicago re-signs him this offseason. A specialist being drafted usually raises eyebrows, and that is where things should stand coming into the draft this week.
Top draft prospects:
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at special teams
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
